Disclaimer: I don't own The Protector of the Small Quartet

She dreamed of Cleon and his kisses. She dreamed of the black smoke that slithered out and attacked her and bit her shoulder. She dreamed of a curse. She dreamed of Joren's skeleton being summoned from the grave by that same black smoke. She dreamed of the king's glazed eyes and his order to wed her hated enemy. She dreamed of Cleon and his betrothed. She dreamed of his wedding and his death.

Blinking her eyes, Kel awoke choking on the ash around her and eyes burning smartly with tears. The pain in her shoulder was a constant, and when she was finally able to focus, she found a small dagger piercing the flesh of her wounded shoulder.

Around her, scattered stone and blackened ash was all that remained of the Stone Mountain Manor. The servants had been slaughtered and Lavina had vanished along with Kai.

Trying to keep from gritting her teeth, Kel took hold of the small dagger and quickly pulled it from her injured shoulder. Almost immediately, her vision swam with black spots. The pain was untold and it took Kel several moments before she could clear her head and find her feet.

Once standing however, her directive became clear. She needed to leave.

It was unclear, but Kel believed that between Lavina's absence and the burning of the Stone Mountain Manor, that whatever spell she had cast over the fief had ended. Furthermore, there were no guards or sign of anyone to stop her.

Knowing that something was terribly wrong, Kel was torn between her duty to the crown and her duty to her friends. Should she travel to Corus and warn the king or should she go back to Fort Hope? Either way, Kel surmised that she would not be able to get there on foot.

Gathering her witds, Kel slowly made her way towards the stables.

Her walk was interrupted by the sound of insistent chirping. It took her a moment to recognize the sound and only a second to dive when an overzealous flock of sparrows came hurling at her.

"Sparrows!" Kel laughed, ducking slightly as several took to purchasing on her head and shoulders. A dog barked happily in the distance.

"Lady Kel!" a young boys voice called out. Blinking, Kel tried to recognize the boy coming towards her.

"Tobe?" she asked after a moment, hardly able to believe the tall buy before her was the same one she had met two years ago.

"You're all grown up!" Kel explained, and despite herself she hugged him. Around her the sparrows chirped on excitedly but despite their collective voices, Kel was still able to hear the bashful boy's words.

"L-lady Kel, you look beautiful," Tobe stuttered, his cheeks warming as he took in the Lady Knight. Her light brown hair was a lot longer than it had been and her once sun kissed skin and turned pale and fair. It emphasized her femininity that had once been overshadowed by her knights apparel and habits.

Kel for her part, held back a distasteful grimace. She had been stabbed, almost burned and crushed. Her hair was long because she was too weak to confront her violent husband when he forced her to grow it out. Her skin was pale because she had been cowed into the life of a lady indoors.

"I hardly feel beautiful," she told him dryly. Not a second later, the dog Jump had come upon Kel with enthusiastic barks and licks. Tobe took that distraction as his chance to slip out of her embrace.

Kel for her part strove to remain stoic and polite even as her heart soared from the friends around her.

"How is it that you have come to be here?" Kel asked as she scratched Jump's ear affectionately. At her question, Tobe grew serious.

"We tried to find you, lady. We did. Only the enchantment around this place kept everyone out. No person or beast could enter uninvited," Tobe explained. Kel narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Her instincts told her Lavina was behind the spell but how could one Mage be so powerful? It didn't make sense.

"The horses," Kel murmured, remembering her purpose.

"Come on Tobi," Kel commanded. Tobe's brow furrowed as he hurried to follow after Kel's urgent strides as she continued her walk towards the stables.

"Lady Kel wait! There's more you must know!" Tobe demanded, reaching into his pocket to bring out the note he had intercepted from the enchanted bird.

"Whatever it is, Tobe, you can tell me on the way," Kel told him as they came upon the stables. Tobe held back while Kel opened the door while the flock of birds hovered overhead and Jump pranced around Kel's feet.

However, once everyone was inside the stable, everything fell silent.

"The horses are gone!"

The Shadow stared down at the talisman in his hands. Something was wrong. He hadn't heard from Great Lady in sometime. The twins had told him that she wouldn't see him. Worse, Lavina's monthly correspondence was late. Taking on Blayce's apprentice as his own had been a risk but until now the Shadow had never had a reason to regret his decision. Lavina knew whis power and his secrets but she was a powerful tool to wield. Her crafts had reaped heaps of rewards in the past.

But now...

Turning towards the tower's window, the Shadow slowly made his way over to look down over his land. Somewhere beyond the villages and trees and sea was Tortall, ripe for the taking. According to the Great Lady, the talisman in his hands was all he needed to transport himself from Scanran to-

A door behind him suddenly burst open.

"Please forgive the intrusion, my Emperor," the intruder apologized. The Shadow did not have to turn around to know that it was his steward.

"The main regiment is in place. We await your orders to March on Tortall."

Frowning, the Shadow turned to face the man who instantly bowed.

"No one is moving until we hear from my apprentice. Too much depends on our discretion," Rathhausak growled.